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Posts tagged Eyes
Fragrance Direct Valentine’s Look: English Rose
8
7 years
The lovely folks at Fragrance Direct recently set me a fun challenge – to create a look for Valentine’s Day using make up from their site. I was given a budget of £20.00, and could choose five items in total. I initially planned to go for smokey eyes and vampy red lips, but as that’s quite a clichéd Valentine’s look, I went for something a bit different in the end. I wanted to keep it simple, so I settled for a fresh-faced ‘English Rose’ look that makes the most of my pale skin, with pretty pink cheeks, lips and nails. After all, roses are what Valentine’s is all about, right? These are the five items that I chose…
Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation in ‘Light Porcelain’ £5.50 / Rimmel ScandalEyes Thick Eyeliner in ‘Black’ £5.00 / Bourjois 10 Day Anti Choc No Chips Nail Polish in ‘Shade 26′ £1.99 / Maybelline Clear Smooth Blush in ‘Fresh Rose’ £2.50 / Calvin Klein Delicious Luxury Creme Lipstick in ‘Mesmerize’ £1.99
Total: £16.98
On the high street, these products would have cost over £35.00 in total, so to get everything for under £20.00 is a massive bargain!
As was allowed, I used a few bits and pieces from my make up bag to complete the look (namely concealer, face powder, a bit of kohl eyeliner and mascara), and here is my finished look…
I must say, I am really impressed with the staying power of all of these products. The lipstick stayed put through a meal and several drinks, the eyeliner didn’t budge at all until I removed it, the foundation gives amazing coverage which lasts all day, as does the blusher, and the nail polish is supposed to stay chip-free for 10 days!
I’m happy with my Fragrance Direct Valentine’s Look – it’s subtle, but still pretty, and I think it’d be perfect for a relaxed Valentine’s Day lunch. You can check out Fragrance Direct’s full range of cosmetics here.
Naomi x
*These make up items were sent to me by Fragrance Direct. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
2True 3 in 1 Concealer
0This review has been sitting in my drafts for ages now, so I thought it was about time I shared it with you all!
Whenever I’m tired (which is most of the time) I tend to get dark circles under my eyes. Not bags, just circles, and I’ve always had trouble finding an affordable concealer that will cover them. In the past I’ve mainly used concealer sticks, but they’re more suited to covering blemishes and they never do a very good job, so a few months ago I decided to pick up a liquid concealer to try. Whilst browsing Superdrug for the perfect shade I tried many concealers from different brands, most of which were too orange or too dark for my pale skin tone, but whilst checking the cheapest stand in the shop, 2True, I was surprised to find the ideal match – their 3 in 1 Concealer in Shade 1, for just £1.99.
The concealer comes packaged in a very basic looking tube, complete with a soft, angled wand for easy application. The packaging is nothing to shout about, and in all honesty it is fairly impractical as it gets very messy, very quickly (as you can see below), and it’s impossible to get the last dregs of product out of the tube. But for £1.99 I’m not complaining too much!
The concealer has a light, creamy consistency and can be blended easily with a fingertip into all nooks and crannies. It also dries fairly quickly so it’s perfect for the morning rush, and it doesn’t go powdery or tight on the skin. In fact, I actually find it quite moisturising, without being greasy, and it leaves your skin looking smooth with an even tone.
The concealer goes on very pale, but once blended it is a brilliant match for light skin tones, with its lightness giving the skin a little boost of radiance. For a bargain concealer the coverage is actually quite impressive, and it covers up my dark circles well, and stays put for a good while. By the evening the dark circles start to show through again however, so it does need touching up/reapplying if you’re heading out anywhere.
Unblended
Coverage (with foundation)
Other than the impractical packaging, this concealer is a little gem and at £1.99 you really can’t go wrong. I’m already onto my second tube and it makes a nice little addition to my make up bag, and I use it on a daily basis for work to hide the signs of tired eyes. It gets a big thumbs up from me!
Naomi x
Beauty Stocking Fillers for £5 and Under
4
7 years
This year seems to have gone incredibly fast, and Christmas is almost upon us. I’m sure by now we are all well into our Christmas shopping (I’ve been extremely organised this year and only have a couple of bits left to get!), but I thought I’d put together a few festive themed posts over the next week or two to help with that last-minute rush. I have spent a while lately trawling the shops and internet for stocking filler ideas, so today’s post features my pick of the best beauty stocking fillers for £5 and under.
Clockwise from Top Left:
Orly Nail Polish £3.99 from Fragrance Direct / Lacura Aqua Moisture Cream £1.99 from ALDI / SuperDrama Mascara £5.00 (was £10.00) from Avon / Halo Futuristic Nail Glitter £4.50 from ASOS / Denman Small Styling Brush £4.99 from Fragrance Direct / Ginger Sparkle Hand Cream £4.00 from The Body Shop / Momiji Mini Gift Set £5.00 from M&S / 3 in 1 Nail Art Pearl Gem Pen £4.50 from Claire’s / MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer £3.00 from MUA / MUA Luxe Glitter Palette £4.00 from MUA / Montagne Jeunesse Strawberry Souffle Face Mask £0.99 from New Look / Snow Fairy Shower Gel £3.50 for 100g from LUSH / Metal Eyelash Curler £3.25 from John Lewis
I hope you all find this edit helpful! If you have any £5 or under stocking filler ideas to add, please comment below as I’d love to see what you’ve come across.
Check back soon for my next Christmas post, featuring Spend and Save Christmas Gift ideas.
Happy Shopping!
Naomi x
Hard Candy Cosmetics
0I was recently given the opportunity, by an online discount make up store called Xtras, to choose some Hard Candy products to review. I’d seen Hard Candy online before and had been wanting to try them out, mainly because their nail polishes come with a cute little ring, so I made my selection and everything arrived within a day or two, which is extremely quick service these days!
I received four Hard Candy items in total; Split Personality Cream Eyeshadow Duo in ‘Psycho’, Just Nails Nail Polish in ‘Mr Right’, Just Nails Matte Top Coat, and World Balmination Tinted Lip Balm in ‘Good Girl’. I must admit, as a nail polish hoarder I was extremely tempted to only order nail products, but I thought I’d give some of the rest of the range a go too, and I’m pleased I did.
Just Nails Nail Polish in ‘Mr Right’ and Just Nails Matte Top Coat
‘Mr Right’ is a gorgeous deep blue shade with a delicate shimmer finish, that looks really elegant on the nails. Though the brush is a bit smaller than I’d like, the polish still applies easily and evenly, and gives completely opaque coverage in two coats. My only real issue with it is that it takes a while to dry, so I managed to smudge it whilst impatiently applying the matte top coat too early, but at least I’ve learnt for next time. The ring that comes with the polish is a fab little bonus too. I was half expecting it to be too small for me and not very good quality, but it’s actually nice and chunky and fits well.
I’d been looking for an affordable matte top coat for ages so choosing this one was a no brainer for me. Unfortunately there’s no ring with it, but the product inside the bottle makes up for that. It applies smoothly with very little streaking, dries a lot quicker than the polish, and as you’d hope, gives a matte finish. Luckily, the formula is fairly thin too, so it doesn’t look or feel too thick. I only applied it on my ring finger as an accent nail so you can see the difference.
At £1.99 each, Hard Candy’s nail products are a real bargain, and I’d definitely recommend them if you’re willing to wait a few extra minutes for your nails to dry!
World Balmination Lip Balm in ‘Good Girl’
Hard Candy’s World Balmination Lip Balm comes packaged in a basic twist up tube, but the packaging is really pretty, so it stands out from the abundance of blacks and silvers in my make up drawer. I do have one little problem with the packaging, though. For some reason, quite a lot of the product sticks out over the top of the tube, even before it has been twisted up (as you can see in the picture), so it’s hard to get the lid on without damaging the balm, unless you have a really steady hand. Not ideal!
The first thing I noticed when I opened the balm was its scent. It smells like a mixture of vanilla and lemon, and even tastes sweet, so if you’re a fan of scented lip products as I am, then this is definitely for you. The balm applies nicely, and a has a creamy texture that isn’t greasy, so it feels nice on the lips and has a long-lasting moisturising effect. I applied it this morning, and even after my Sunday lunch my lips still felt lovely! It’s also very slightly tinted with a light peachy pink shade, and though it doesn’t add much colour to the lips, it does emphasise your natural lip colour.
At £1.99 it’s a definite thumbs up from me.
Split Personality Cream Eyeshadow Duo in ‘Psycho’
I don’t tend to wear eyeshadow that often (I’m more of a thick black eyeliner kinda girl), but when I spotted this I thought I’d give it a go as one of the shadows in the duo is, you guessed it, black! The other is white, and both have a bit of shimmer to them.
The duo has a cream eyeshadow at either end of the stick, which sits in the screw lid that covers each applicator. The applicators themselves are soft and spongy, and seem to be loaded on a spring, so they move and mould to the shape of your eyelid nicely, making application smooth and easy. The two colours compliment each other well, and make for an impressive smoky eye that’s quick to do.
If these shades aren’t for you, there are plenty of other colours to choose from, and they cost £1.99 each, which is £3.00 cheaper than the RRP.
To view the full range of Hard Candy products that Xtras have to offer, visit their site here.
Naomi x
*These Hard Candy cosmetics were sent to me by Xtras for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
MyChelle Dermaceuticals Skin Care
0Quite a few months ago I was sent three skin care products to try by the vegan, cruelty-free brand MyChelle Dermaceuticals. MyChelle’s tagline is ‘Seeded in science and rooted in nature’, which sums them up perfectly. Their products are all made from nontoxic, natural ingredients, which have been chosen and formulated specifically for their concentration and nutrient levels, which can help the skin look and feel healthier.
MyChelle’s products are organised into five steps which, when combined, create the perfect skin care routine – you just have to pick the right products for your skin type! Step 1 is cleansers, Step 2 masks, peels and scrubs, Step 3 serums, Step 4 mists, and finally, Step 5 creams. The three products I received, and have now been using for a while, are their Fruit Enzyme Cleanser* from Step 1, Pumpkin Renew Cream* from Step 5, and Fabulous Eye Cream*, also from Step 5. I haven’t tried any products from Step 2, 3 or 4 so cannot comment on how well the routine works as a whole, so I will share my experience of each product individually.
Fruit Enzyme Cleanser – 61ml – £8.50
MyChelle say: Gentle deep cleanser uncovers remarkably fresh, smooth skin. A special blend of natural multi-fruit Alpha-Hydroxy Acids unclog and purify pores, and increase cellular turnover for a more youthfully refined look. Strengthening and antioxidant Turmeric keeps skin calm and eases signs of irritation, while Fructooligosaccharides from sugar promote and protect skin’s health.
I say: The Fruit Enzyme Cleanser comes in a squeezy bottle with a mess-free click lid, which makes it really easy to control how much of the cleanser you use, meaning there’s no waste. MyChelle recommend using a dime-size amount to cover the whole face, which in English money is about the same size as a five pence coin. In my experience that is enough for a good cleanse, so even this 61ml bottle will last a good while.
The cleanser contains a mixture of natural oils and plant extracts, but the one that dominates is orange, so it has a gorgeous sweet orange scent, which happens to be one of my favourite toiletry scents. It also has a light gel consistency which massages in like a dream, and doesn’t feel greasy at all. The gel washes off easily with warm water and leaves the skin feeling soft, fresh and incredibly clean, without that tightness you sometimes get from facial cleansers. I’ve noticed my face has looked a lot clearer since I started using this cleanser and I’ve had far fewer breakouts which is brilliant.
Pumpkin Renew Cream – 35ml – £21.00
MyChelle say: A lightweight, hydrating formula blends antioxidant-rich Pumpkin Seed Oil with reparative Peptides to protect cellular health and maintain hydration. Astaxanthin, from Micro-Algae, neutralizes free radicals while reducing moisture loss. EGF Peptides promote cellular renewal and collagen production. Shea Butter and Vitamin E replenish skin’s lipid barrier to prevent dehydration.
I say: MyChelle’s Pumpkin Renew Cream is not orange in colour as you’d expect, but a pale minty green. It smells absolutely beautiful – fresh, but with a sweet and spicy note of nutmeg which really stands out. The formula is light, and in the pot looks a little bit oily which, I’ll admit, worried me slightly at first, but I was relieved to find that it doesn’t leave behind any greasiness on the skin. Rather, it is absorbed nicely and is incredibly moisturising and softening, and also has a calming, soothing effect on tired or angry skin.
MyChelle’s Pumpkin Renew Cream is suitable for all skin types, including combination skin like mine, and can be used as a day or night cream, so it’s a great little all-rounder. I’ve been using my pot in the morning as a base for my make up, and it hydrates dry patches and evens out oily patches for a perfect finish.
Fabulous Eye Cream – 15ml – £19.00
MyChelle say: Advanced formula nourishes the delicate eye area while minimizing the look of fine lines. Revolutionary Edelweiss Plant Stem Cells inhibit collagen breakdown and are clinically proven to reduce wrinkle depth by 15% after only twenty days of use. Hyaluronic acid binds moisture within the skin, smoothing and firming the eye area.
I say: Once again, MyChelle’s packaging prevails with this cream and the easy squeeze tube and narrow nozzle make it really easy to control how much cream you use, and you really only need a little bit of this to cover the whole eye area. The cream itself, like the Pumpkin Renew Cream, is non-greasy and easily absorbed, and gentle enough for the eye area, causing no irritation. The Fabulous Eye Cream smells different to the other two products (I love how they all have a different scent!), with a delicately sweet, almost floral aroma with hints of coconut, lavender and orange.
Being only 23, I don’t yet have many wrinkles around my eyes, but I’ve been using this almost as a preventative, and it’s doing a great job so far. After application my eye area feels smooth and firm, without being uncomfortable, and it’s definitely been helping to reduce my morning eye puffiness!
Overall, I’d definitely recommend MyChelle’s products and I’d love to fill the gaps in my routine with more of their offerings. My skin is really quite sensitive and I often have allergic to reactions to facial cleansers and moisturisers, but I haven’t had any such reaction to MyChelle. Definitely something to remember if you too suffer from sensitive skin!
You can view MyChelle’s full range here.
My parcel from MyChelle also contained two packets of Pur chewing gum, and since I am a gum addict it was a nice little surprise to receive these. The gum comes in two flavours – Peppermint and Wintergreen, and is aspartame and sugar-free, so it contains no nasties. It’s also suitable for vegans, diabetics and those who are gluten and lactose intolerant, so it’s a really inclusive product. The gum itself has a nice, powerful flavour and tastes and chews just like any other gum, so it doesn’t suffer in that respect, but the flavour doesn’t last as long as I’d like. Still, for a natural product that pretty much anyone can have, it’s impressive.
Naomi x
*These products were sent to me by MyChelle Dermaceuticals for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Cargo Cosmetics Launch in the UK
4
8 years
Last month, Cargo Cosmetics, a highly sought after brand known for its use on TV and film sets worldwide, launched in the UK at Debenhams. The brand boasts better, easier, smarter products with the latest innovations in beauty, that give a high-definition, flawless finish from all angles.
Cargo’s range features a wide selection of high quality make up items, including lip gloss, eye shadows, water resistant blushes and bronzer, foundation, liners, mascara, brushes and carefully concocted palettes, sets and quads, all of which look simply slick in Cargo’s award winning silvered packaging. I was recently sent a few products from the range to try, these being two Eye Shadow Singles in ‘Flint’ and ‘Windsor’, a Water Resistant Bronzer and a Lip Gloss in ‘Route 66′, and I have been nothing but impressed by their quality. Here are my thoughts on each…
Eye Shadow Singles in ‘Flint’ and ‘Windsor’ – £12.00 each
Cargo’s Single Eye Shadows come in twelve shades, featuring daring brights and more neutral tones, in either matte or shimmer. The two shades I was sent are ‘Flint’, an ashy grey, and a pale peachy cream called ‘Windsor’, both of which have a very slight shimmer. Both shadows have a soft, velvety formula, and they’re not too powdery. Because of this, I find they apply really smoothly, and give very little fall out so it’s easy to create a sharp look, with hardly any mess. The pigmentation is also impressive, and it doesn’t take much of the product to get a bold finish. My favourite thing about the shadows, though, is how long they last. After morning application, the eye shadow stays put without the use of a primer until you’re ready to remove it, and it barely gathers in the creases at all.
Here’s how the eye shadows look worn together. I used ‘Flint’ as a base up to the eye crease, and ‘Windsor’ above the crease and in the corner of each eye. ‘Windsor’ works really well as a highlighter eye shadow, and ‘Flint’ is the perfect shade to create a subtle smokey look.
If you like the look of Cargo’s Eye Shadow Singles, they are available online here at Debenhams, and cost £12.00 each.
Water Resistant Bronzer – £20.00
Cargo claim that their Water Resistant Bronzer is a world first, as it contains a silicone-coated talc that adheres firmly to the skin, making it long-lasting even in water. This makes it perfect for summer, as it gives skin a healthy glow with the appearance of a natural tan, and will survive a dip in the sea or pool, and stay put even through perspiration.
As you’d expect, I decided to put the water resistance of the bronzer to the test, and I’m pleased to report that water just slides right off it – as you can see in the picture above! Even with some rubbing it takes a while for the colour to fade, but it fades evenly and doesn’t go streaky, which is always good news. Luckily though, it removes easily with make up remover, so there’s no need to worry about it being stubborn.
In terms of colour, Cargo’s Water Resistant Bronzer gives a fairly subtle bronze shimmer that looks great even on pale skin like mine, but it can be built up to create a bolder look if you prefer.
This wonderful Water Resistant Bronzer has well and truly converted me to the bronzed look, and is available here at Debenhams, for just £20.00.
Lip Gloss in ‘Route 66′ – £7.50
All of Cargo’s Lip Glosses are clinically proven to last up to six hours, a statement that I can vouch for, and they have a moisturising formula that isn’t sticky and leaves your lips feeling incredibly soft. The gloss tubes are dinky enough to carry with you at all times, and they come with a just as dinky price tag of just £7.50. I really like the applicator that comes with the gloss as its flat, rounded shape and soft padding makes for precise application. However, I’m not a massive fan of how the gloss smells. I really like sweetly scented glosses, but this one is almost scentless, other than a slight plasticky smell that is slightly off putting. Thankfully it doesn’t taste horrible though!
The shade I was sent, Route 66, is a coral pinky red which is packed full of shimmery particles that give the gloss a lovely, long-lasting shine. The colour applies very subtly for a natural touch of pink, but like all of Cargo’s products that I’ve tried it can be layered to create a deeper colouring. Here it is after one coat:
Cargo Cosmetics Lip Glosses come in a wide range of shades (eighteen, in fact), including an unusual but beautiful gold shade, and are available online here.
If you like the look of any of Cargo’s innovative cosmetics, or you want to find out what else they have to offer, the full range is available to browse and buy online at Debenhams. Do you think you’ll be giving any of their products a go?
Naomi x
*These Cargo Cosmetics products were sent to me by Debenhams for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Snakebite
8
8 years
by Naomi in Eyes
If there’s one thing I’ve noticed in the world of beauty blogging it’s that Urban Decay eyeshadow palettes are extremely popular, so much so that reviews of the palettes seem to take precedent over the brand’s single eyeshadows. So, when Lookfantastic gave me the opportunity to try an Urban Decay eyeshadow, I was intrigued to find out whether bloggers are missing out on a little gem in choosing palettes over singles.
Urban Decay’s range of eyeshadows features 68 shades in every colour you can imagine, all of which have fun, creative names. From nudes and browns, to blues, pinks, purples and even black, there’s something for everybody, so if the combined shades in the palettes aren’t for you, you can pick and choose the singles and build up a personalised collection of colours.
The shade I received is called Snakebite – a bronze brown with a slight shimmer which is ideal for day wear on its own.
I’m a sucker for beautiful packaging (as long as the product inside lives up to it), and Urban Decay’s new design eyeshadows are definitely pleasant to look at. The shadow comes encased in a silver-toned circular pot which looks very chic, and is apparently inspired by NYC subway tokens – a brilliant cultural touch. Even the textured purple box is lovely!
The eyeshadow itself has a velvety soft feel which translates onto the skin for a flawless, smooth finish. When I first used Snakebite I was slightly worried that my eyeshadow brush wasn’t picking up much of the product, but when I applied it I was pleasantly surprised. The eyeshadow is very highly pigmented, so what looked like a little went a very long way, and it didn’t take much to build up decent coverage.
The only issue I have with the eyeshadow is that the powder sits quite loosely on the brush, meaning it makes quite a mess with the excess falling onto my cheeks during application. However, this is easily sorted with a quick sweep of a spare clean brush!
Here’s how the eyeshadow looks on the skin…
Perhaps the biggest test of a good eyeshadow is how long it lasts, and Urban Decay’s eyeshadow lasts an impressively long time. The first time I wore Snakebite I wore it without an eyelid primer, yet it still lasted all afternoon with no fading, and it didn’t gather in the creases or smudge at all. I just love that you can wear this eyeshadow without having to worry about touching it up throughout the day!
Overall, from packaging to product this little eyeshadow oozes quality and I really, really like it. If you love the Urban Decay palettes then I’d highly recommend you try the singles too! You can find the full range of Urban Decay’s gorgeous little eyeshadows here at Lookfantastic, and they cost £14.00 each.
Naomi x
*This Urban Decay Eyeshadow was sent to me by Lookfantastic/The Hut Group for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
My Top 10 Beauty Products of 2012
6In February 2012, when Bewitchery was born, I decided to broaden my beauty horizons and try as many new products as possible throughout the year, without breaking the bank. In my mission to discover new favourites I came across many products which were less than impressive, but luckily I also found a great deal of fantastic ones, a fair few of which I have used time and time again, and will continue to do so. In this post I will give you a round-up of just a few of the best products I tried for the first time in 2012, linking to my review of each with a little extract of my post, just to give you an idea of why I love it!
1. e.l.f. Studio Cream Eyeliner
“In terms of lasting power, this liner definitely has it. I have been wearing it now since this morning and it still looks as bright as it did when it first went on, and the line is just as clean. I’ve been rubbing my eyes a bit today too and it hasn’t smudged a bit – amazing!”
2. Models Own ‘Disco Mix’
“The absolute best thing about this nail polish is the colour. My favourite colours are purple, turquoise and pink, and ‘Disco Mix’ combines turquoise and pink glitter to create a polish which looks purple at a distance. The glitter colours are SO bright and bold.”
3. MUA Professional Matte Foundation
“One of the things that drew me to this foundation was the fact that it is matte and claims to offer a long-lasting velvet finish. I suffer from an oily T-zone (especially during the summer months) and I don’t like the shine that the oil creates, so I am always looking for ways to minimise the shine. MUA’s Matte Foundation, as you would hope, does give a matte complexion, and it keeps most of the shine at bay.”
4. Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Body Butter
“The body butter itself is fantastically light and creamy and feels so luxurious on the skin. It is absorbed very quickly too, leaving no messy residue. The product contains coconut oil, shea butter and avocado oil to aid with moisturisation, but despite the oil content it isn’t at all greasy. The oils make the butter ‘Intensively hydrating’, and combine to give ’12 hour moisturisation’, and believe me, the softness really does last that long.”
5. TanOrganic Sunless Tan
“Though the tan didn’t give my legs an intense colour, it did make them look nicely, naturally tanned and lightly brown, and I am very pleased with the results. There are no orange blotches or dirty looking streaks in sight, and my skin tone looks very even and smooth. The difference is only minor, but it is noticeable, and that is what I wanted so it has done its job well in my opinion.”
6. Montagne Jeunesse Moisturising Lip Balm
“Not one of Montagne Jeunesse’s lip balms contain petroleum jelly, so they aren’t greasy at all. Rather, they are made from 100% natural beeswax and olive oil and are lightly creamy but intensely moisturising. The beeswax forms a protective layer on the lips making them long-lasting, and the olive oil gives them a subtle shine.”
7. Models Own ‘Northern Lights’
“Northern Lights consists of a very fine dusky pink glitter, and is studded with delicate flakes of holographic glitter which shine purple, blue, orange, yellow and green in most lights. Even in the bottle, the varnish is breathtaking, and I have never seen anything quite like it before.”
8. Nivea Express Hydration Primer
“The primer leaves a smooth, non-greasy base on the skin, and since I’ve been using this I have found that my foundation smooths onto my skin far more easily and evenly than usual, without going patchy on any dry bits. The primer keeps my powder and blusher in place too, so on the whole my make up lasts a lot longer, which I think is down to the lack of greasiness.”
9. Bubbles & Butters Crazy for Chocolate Shower Bubbles
“The gel is very creamy and lathers into masses of moisturising bubbles quicker than any other shower gel I have ever used! Because of its impressive lathering abilities, a little goes a long way with these bubbles, so a £2 coin size is enough for your whole body.”
10. Omni Massage Roller & Sports Oil
“The first time I used the roller I asked my mum to help me reach the tense areas on my back, and even though she used it over my clothing I was amazed that the roller was sensitive enough to pick out all the knots in my muscles. We could both feel them ‘crunching’, which sounds horrible but it meant she knew which areas to focus on. The shape and movement of the ball means that any focused pressure is distributed outwards slightly, so the knots can be worked out without any pain or discomfort.”
…and one that I LOVE and am going to review again because I didn’t write much last time…
Sally Hansen Moisturising Polish Remover
“Unlike most nail varnish removers, this Sally Hansen offering smells lovely, almost like a body lotion, and doesn’t sting your eyes or nose with harsh vapours. It removes nail varnish quickly, with minimum effort, so you don’t need to sit for ages rubbing away to no avail!”
What were your favourite products of 2012?
Naomi x
Chocolate Treat Week: Makeup
8
9 years
My third Chocolate Treat Week post is all about make up. Believe it or not, I had to search high and low for chocolate scented and coloured make up products, but I found a couple of great ones in the end. I’ve also created a yummy eyeshadow look to share with you, which uses three different shades of chocolate brown. Enjoy!
For Lips… Palmer’s Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Lip Butter
In my high and low search for chocolate lip products I discovered a myriad of chocolate lip balms, but none of them seemed to cut the mustard as a gloss, rather than just a protective balm. In all honesty I was close to giving up, but then I found this… Palmer’s Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Lip Butter.
The Lip Butter has a lovely creamy formula which feels amazing on the lips. You can tell from how it feels that it is intensely enriching, and because it’s a butter and not a gloss it feels smooth and moisturising rather than sticky. It is also light in colour so doesn’t leave a tint on the lips, but as the packaging states it adds a ‘subtle gloss’, which is what makes it makeup in my eyes. The glossy shine it adds lasts for a long time, and can be worn over lipstick as well as directly on the lips.
The minty chocolate scent of the Lip Butter is absolutely divine. The fact that it is dark chocolate means that it isn’t too sickly sweet, and the freshness of the peppermint gives it a sharp edge. The mint also feels wonderful on the lips as it gives the lip butter a pleasant tingle. Though it doesn’t claim to be a plumping product I think it does have a slight, natural-looking plumping effect, but without the pain that some plumping glosses can cause!
Palmer’s Dark Chocolate & Peppermint Lip Butter definitely does what it says on the tin. It ‘softens & soothes lips’ almost instantly and leaves them feeling protected, but it has a big advantage over most lip balms by adding that ‘subtle gloss’. The Lip Butter is available in lots of high street shops (there’s a list here), and usually retails for about £2.75, which is an excellent price considering it is a gloss AND a protective balm in one.
For Eyes… MUA Malt Chocolate Intense Glitter Eyeliner
MUA’s Malt Chocolate Intense Glitter Eyeliner is another quality MUA product. Like all of their glitter liners it costs just £1, which is outstanding value as there’s even a pencil sharpener incorporated into the lid! The eyeliner is very creamy so it applies like a dream to both your waterlines and your upper and lower lash lines without pulling the skin at all. The glitter is very fine too, so it adds a lovely shimmer without causing any irritation or heaviness on the eye.
Malt Chocolate is a pretty, highly pigmented shade with a bronze tinge to it, which gives it that ‘intense colour finish’ – far from the dull, uninspiring look of most brown eyeliners! What I like about this liner is that, once it dries, it doesn’t smudge and it lasts a good long while before it comes off, keeping its bold colour for the duration of wear.
The eyeliner is also impressively versatile. MUA state that it can be worn all over the eyelid, as a lip liner or as an all-over lip colour as well as an eyeliner, and due to its creaminess I think it would make a great lip product as it wouldn’t be drying at all. What a fab thing to throw into your suitcase for a holiday or into your clutch on a night out!
If you’d like to try any of MUA’s Glitter Intense Eyeliners they are available in Superdrug stores or online here.
Create the Look… Triple Chocolate Eyes
The above look was created using three different shades of chocolate coloured eyeshadow. MUA’s Chocolate Box Trio Eyeshadow would be perfect for this, but I actually used their Immaculate Collection Palette. All you need to use to copy this look is a white chocolate shade as a highlighter, a milk chocolate shade as your main colour, and a dark chocolate shade for shadows and creases. The shades I used from the Immaculate Collection were these…
- White Chocolate: Shade 12
- Milk Chocolate: Shade 23
- Dark Chocolate: Shade 21
And here’s how you get the look:
- Prepare your eyelids right up to the brow bone with your preferred eye primer.
- Apply your milk chocolate shade to your eyelid using a flat eyeshadow brush, from corner to corner and up to the crease.
- Using another flat eyeshadow brush sweep your white chocolate shade above the milk chocolate shade, up to the brown bone.
- Using a shading brush, apply the dark chocolate shade along the crease of your eye, thickening the line at the outer corner and taking it down to the corner of your lashes.
- Blend the dark chocolate shade into the edge of the milk chocolate shade with a clean eyeshadow brush.
- Using a fine brush, apply a small amount of the white chocolate shade to the inside corner of your eye and a third of the way under your lower lash line. Fill in the rest of your lower lash line with the dark chocolate shade.
- Brush any loose eyeshadow from your face using a clean brush and finish with a generous coat of your favourite mascara, preferably brown.
The Last Rolo…
The Last Rolo is where I hand over the last few words of each Chocolate Treat Week blog post to another blogger. In the run up to Chocolate Treat Week I asked five of my favourite bloggers a couple of questions about their favourite chocolate treats, and today’s answers come from Claire of Nocturnal Beauty.
Can you recommend any chocolate scented, flavoured or themed beauty/fashion products?
I can definitely recommend the Whipstick lip balm from Lush. It’s my by far my favourite chocolate scented product that I’ve tried. It smells just like chocolate orange, and it isn’t overly sickly or too sweet, it smells absolutely divine. I do catch myself smelling the tin quite a lot! It feels lovely too and leaves a bit of a brown tint to the lips. It’s perfect for anybody who loves chocolate!
What is your favourite chocolate treat to eat, and why?
My favourite chocolate treat to eat is probably chocolate cake. I eat far too much cake and it’s a wonder I have any teeth left. I also make some seriously good chocolate fudge!
Thanks for reading today’s Chocolate Treat Week installment! Please check back tomorrow for a post all about chocolate themed nails, featuring some new nail art!
Naomi x
Accessorize Baked Duo Eyeshadow in ‘Venus’
8
9 years
by Naomi in Eyes
A couple of weeks ago I bought this Accessorize Baked Duo Eyeshadow from Superdrug. At the time it was on offer for £2.22, but this particular range of eyeshadows cost £4.45 each at full price.
I always enjoy browsing the Accessorize stand when I’m in Superdrug as the product packaging is always so attractive, and the Baked Duo is no exception. The gold butterfly detail on the lid is very pretty, and the packaging is very well designed as it always closes firmly and stays shut.
The eyeshadow itself is also quite beautiful to look at, and looks a lot like a planet which is in its name – ‘Venus’. For one, it is domed, which I’ve always found aesthetically pleasing in an eyeshadow, and the two different coloured sides are very ethereal. One side of the shadow is a rich, luxurious purple (Left), and the other is a dusky pink swirled with silver (Right).
As you can see above, my initial swatches came out quite faint which worried me slightly. I thought Accessorize had gone for image over quality and let the product suffer for the sake of the packaging, but I tried to reserve judgement until I’d tried it out properly, so here is the look I created with ‘Venus’…
To create this look I applied the pink shade across my entire eyelid, and the purple shade along the natural crease of my eye, down to the outside corner, using a shading brush. Then, again using the shading brush, I blended a mix of both shades from the outside corner of my eye to the centre of my eyelid. Finally, with a fine angled brush I applied a thin line of purple across my top lash line, and halfway across my lower lashline, and the pink shade to the inner corner of my eye and the other half of my lower lash line.
Despite my concerns, the eyeshadow is actually quite highly pigmented, and is very easy to apply. It smoothes on evenly and takes very little effort to build up a layer of bold colour, and the formula is extremely light so it doesn’t feel caked on or heavy on the eyelids.
Eight hours after application the eyeshadow is still going strong, and I didn’t even use an eyeshadow primer to keep it in place. It hasn’t smudged or gathered in the creases of my eye, and the colour still looks bright. The only issue I have with it is that it has gone quite shiny and wet looking, but that’s because I have oily eyelids which can’t be helped.
Overall, I am impressed with this Duo. The packaging is gorgeous, the colours are stunning and, probably most importantly, the eyeshadow is good quality and long-lasting. This was a definite steal at £2.22, but it’d also make a nice little treat at £4.45.
Have you tried any of Accessorize’s cosmetics?
Naomi x
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